WHAT DAYS DID JESUS DIE AND RISE FROM THE GRAVE?

A compilation of Scriptures by Dan Beeson 4 June 2022

www.vigilantvaliant.com dan@vigilantvaliant.com

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT HOW LONG YESHUA WAS IN THE TOMB?

WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE HEBREW DAY AND TIME

HOW LONG DID YESHUA SAY HE WOULD BE IN THE TOMB?

WEEKLY SABBATHS

ANNUAL SABBATHS

WHAT IS THE PASSOVER?

DIFFERENT PASSOVER TIMES FOR PEOPLE AND PRIESTS

YESHUA IS OUR PASSOVER LAMB

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT WHAT DAY YESHUA DIED

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT WHAT TIME YESHUA DIED

YESHUA’S ARREST:

YESHUA’S TRIALS:

YESHUA’S CRUCIFICTION:

YESHUA’S DEATH:

YESHUA’S BURIAL:

WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK WAS YESHUA BURIED?

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT WHAT DAY YESHUA ROSE FROM THE DEAD

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT WHAT TIME YESHUA ROSE FROM THE DEAD

WHAT DAYS DID YESHUA DIE AND RISE FROM THE GRAVE?

ON THE THIRD DAY/ THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS

MARY MAGDALENE AND THE OTHER WOMEN

REVIEW & CONCLUSION

ADDENDUM

MORE ON THE PASSOVER - NUMBERS 28:16-25

PRIEST HELD DIFFERENT PASSOVER THAN THE PEOPLE

THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS

INTRODUCTION

WHAT DAYS DID YESHUA (Jesus in English) DIE AND RISE FROM THE GRAVE? Well, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, right? Everybody knows that! Great! Then that should be very clear in the Bible.

Why does it really matter? As a child, we learn at an early age about Christmas and Easter. Christmas was supposed to be Yeshua’ birthday, and Easter the day He rose from the dead. Even as a child, it struck me that Yeshua said He would be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights, but the church was telling me He died on Friday and rose on Sunday early in the morning. Even as a child, I could see that did not add up. Something was wrong, obviously wrong, clearly wrong, and blatantly wrong. And if the church was wrong about that, they may be wrong about other things also. That is the reason for this study. If they are wrong here, perhaps they are wrong about other things, things that are not quite as obvious. Is the great percentage of the modern Christian Church WRONG about some of their teachings?

I have heard a number of preachers attempt to gloss over this question with answers that make it all the more obvious they are not telling the truth. Some say the Jews counted any part of a day as a whole day. So they say 3 hours or so of Friday, all day Saturday from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, and some number of hours on Sunday evening (the start of Sunday) means three days. Are you buying that? And where are the three nights? Oh, they say that is just an idiom, a way of speaking. It doesn’t really mean three days and three nights.

Let’s research what the Bible really says about what day died, and what day Yeshua rose from the dead.

Punctuation can change the whole meaning of a sentence. “Let’s eat, grandma.” Or “Let’s eat grandma.” What a great difference a comma can make. Yet light research shows ancient Greek had sparse punctuation, so much punctuation in our modern language Bibles was added by interpreters with biases and preconceived notions. There are times in examining a scripture, I use “The Interlinear Bible” with Hebrew, Greek, and English, to attempt to find what punctuation the original language had, and remove that punctuation added in later years to make the scripture more “readable.” Some may be added correctly, some may not. When I do this, I will note that removal of modern punctuation under the verse.

This study is to find the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. What day did Yeshua die, and what day did He rise from the dead? So let's examine the scriptures, and find out the truth about what they say about our question.

Most of my Bible Studies attempt to have EVERY SCRIPTURE IN THE BIBLE on the topic. Some people have complained that it is just TOO MANY Bible verses. But my Bible Studies are to learn the TRUTH about what the Bible says, not what some denomination told me to believe, not what some person told me to believe, but what the Bible really says. I want ALL the scriptures on the topic. I want the scriptures those with opposing beliefs use as their key scriptures, so I can analyze them. I want to know their reason for believing the way they do, and give that a fair hearing. How can we find the “Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth” if we don’t have all the data, all the information available? Since my studies are meant to learn what the Bible really says on a topic, I typically use nothing from outside the Bible. Outside sources may or may not be valid. The ONLY place we can read the words of Yeshua (Jesus in English) is from the Bible. So yes, I hope I have found EVERY SCRIPTURE on the topic. if I have missed a scripture, If you find other scriptures that address the question, or if you can in any way help me improve this writing or see a mistake, please contact me and let me know at dan@vigilantvaliant.com.

For this particular study, “What Days Did Jesus Die and Rise from the Grave?”, many wonderful scriptures about these days will be passed by, as they do not help identify the day or time. I encourage you to read through the whole sections of the Bible in order some day, to get a subjective feeling of these last days of Yeshua on Earth. I have compiled below scriptures I found on this topic. If you like it, if it seems to be thorough and accurate, my other Bible Studies may be found on www.vigilantvaliant.com.

If you wonder why I use The Living God's name, Yahweh, and Our Savior's name, Yeshua, please see my other Bible Study, "Does Jesus Want Christians to Obey the Ten Commandments" in the Appendix, in the section, "THE NAME OF GOD AND HIS MESSIAH" for a short explanation.

I use the King James Version (KJV) only because it was by far the main English translation during my life. While there are other good translations of the Bible, I am using the one I am familiar with, the KJV. Yes, it is old-fashioned English, but it can also be poetic and beautiful. So, all scriptures are quoted from the KJV Bible (King James Version), unless otherwise noted. All scriptures will be indented and in italics. All Bolding, Underlining, Italicizing, (parentheses), highlighting, and [brackets] are done by me for emphasis.

END OF INTRODUCTION

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT HOW LONG YESHUA WAS IN THE TOMB?

It is important for two reasons.

First, because Yeshua said it was important. Is Yeshua the Messiah promised by The Living God, Yahweh? When the religious leaders of Yeshua’s day asked to prove He was the Messiah from Yahweh, the Christ, Yeshua said that Yahweh would give them ONE AND ONLY ONE SIGN.

"38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matthew 12:38-40)

So, this is the only sign that Yahweh would give to prove that Yeshua was the Messiah. Didn’t He do miracles? Sure, but other people in the Bible did miracles. Didn’t He raise the dead? Yes, but other people in the Bible raised the dead. This and this alone is what Yeshua said would be the sign given by His Father, Yahweh, that He was in fact the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior. And 95% of Christian teachers/preachers are causing you to miss this sign Yahweh gave you.

Second, this is actually easily provable. It is not that difficult to ferret out the truth about this, and THAT is a SCARY fact. That 95% of the modern Christian church is in error about this should shock you to the core. You have been DECEIVED about an important truth about Yeshua.

IF THEY HAVE BEEN DECEIVED, ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP FOLLOWING THOSE TEACHERS?

Can any of us really know the TRUTH? Can any of us be PERFECT in all our doctrine? It would seem the only fair answer is “NO”.

Each of us starts our Christian walk as babes in Christ. We learn about Yahweh. We learn about Yeshua, and we believe. We repent of our sins, and ask Yeshua to save us. There is no way that we can know the full truth about Yahweh and Yeshua at that point. We must continually study and continually learn. That means our knowledge is ALWAYS IMPERFECT, and will always grow. The apostles were studying under Yeshua for about three years, and they were still learning at the Last Supper. They were still learning at Pentecost.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

"10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few." (Acts 17:10-12)

So YES, this is important. We need to study the Bible. We should strive to be like the Bereans. We should want to know the TRUTH about our God and our Savior. We must build our doctrine on the scriptures, not twist the scriptures to fit our doctrine. While our knowledge may always be imperfect, Yahweh will help us along the way as we grow.

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18)

As I stated in the introduction, if you find errors in my studies, if you find other scriptures that are germane to this topic, please help me improve or correct my bible study by sending them to me at dlbeeson@gmail.com.

WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE HEBREW DAY AND TIME

It is very hard for most modern day people to get a real feeling for when days started and ended in the Bible. We think of midnight to midnight as a day. In the very first words of the Bible, we are told how Yahweh Himself, and ancient men, thought of the divisions of the day. It was sunset to sunset, not midnight to midnight.

"1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day." (Genesis 1:1-5)

This order is repeated for every day of the six days of creation. The ancient Israelites counted a day from the last disappearance of the sunset, to the first peek of the top of the sunrise as "evening" (we may consider that "night") and the instant of sunrise to the final moment of sunset, as "morning" (we may consider that "day"). So the dark time is night, and the light time is day. That does make sense, doesn't it? And when the light time is over, the day is over. That makes sense also, doesn't it? It still feels uncomfortable to me to think of a "DAY" starting with the night first, and then the day, but it does feel comfortable to me to think that the day ends when the light ends. We think of Monday Evening as the time AFTER THE DAYLIGHT, when the sun sets. But in the Bible Monday Evening (night) is the FIRST PART of Monday, starting at sunset on Sunday and going until SUNRISE MONDAY. Then Monday Morning (day) is the SECOND PART of Monday, from SUNRISE Monday to SUNSET Monday when Tuesday Evening starts. Evening comes BEFORE morning. SUNSET (6:00 pm) starts the 12 hours of EVENING (nighttime), and SUNRISE (6:00 am) starts the 12 hours of MORNING (daytime). Nevertheless, whether we do or do not feel comfortable with the ancient understanding of evening and morning, we DO need to understand it in order to know what times of what day the Bible verses are talking about. [I am using 6:00 pm just as a rough idea of the hour of sunset. It is really when the sun dips below the horizon.]

A great site to explain this is https://torahcalendar.com/SUNSET.asp which says:

“A Hebrew Day begins and ends at the moment of sunset on the Creation Calendar. The time of sunset is defined as the moment the trailing edge of the sun's disc disappears below the horizon to the west, as seen by an observer at a particular location on earth.”

HOW LONG DID YESHUA SAY HE WOULD BE IN THE TOMB?

Exactly how long did Yeshua say he would be in the tomb?

"38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matthew 12:38-40)

This is not just 3 days, but 3 days AND 3 nights. Yeshua also told us just how long a day was.

"Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world." (John 11:9)

So there are twelve (12) hours in a day, and twelve (12) hours in a night. Three twelve hour days, is 36 hours. Three twelve hour nights is 36 hours. Added, that is 72 hours. Yeshua says He will be 72 hours in the “heart of the earth.” This is important because it was a sign to Israel, and the world that HE was the Messaih of Yahweh, The Living God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel).

"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day." (Matthew 16:21)

"31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. 32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: 33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again." (Luke 18:31-33)

"Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;" (Acts 10:40)

Some use Matthew 16:21, Luke 18:33 and Acts 10:40 above to say Yeshua only had to be in the grave 3 days, not 3 nights. But Yeshua said “and three nights.” You already know Israel starts a day with EVENING, then MORNING. So the third night had to come before the third day. So if Yeshua rose again at sunset, the END of the third day, He has spent 3 days AND 3 nights “in the heart of the earth.” That phrase certainly doesn’t require that He rose at the BEGINNING of the third day. So if He rose at the end of the third day, that would be 3 whole nights and 3 whole days, just like Yeshua said. Why should we doubt what Yeshua said would be an important sign? Would Yeshua play fast and loose with the timing? I think not!

We definitely know the very HOUR Yeshua died, the ninth hour.

"44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." (Luke 23:44-46)

And we definitely know the LATEST time Yeshua was buried in the heart of the earth, BEFORE SUNSET.

"38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. 39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. 42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand." (John 19:38-42)

So it was STILL the day of preparation BEFORE a Sabbath Day, the same day Yeshua died, that He was buried.

Think about what you have been told. The morning is 6 am, so the ninth hour is 3:00 pm Good Friday they say Yeshua died. We know He was buried before 6:00 pm that same day, before sunset. They say He rose Easter Sunday early in the morning. Starting 6:00 pm sunset Friday to 6:00 pm sunset Saturday is 24 hours. Then from Sunset Saturday, to Sunrise Sunday at 6:00 am is 12 more hours. That is just 36 hours total. Yeshua says 72 hours, the establishment tradition says 36 hours. Who are you going to believe? What does the Bible really say? Satan always tries to turn the word of Yahweh around. “Did God say you shall surely die? You shall not die.” “Did Yeshua say 72 hours? No, it will only be 36 hours.” Who are you going to believe, Yeshua or worldly teachers?

Almost every Christian church teaches you about Good Friday, the day Yeshua died. Where do they get that? Are they correct? Below are verses they base that assumption on.

"Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate," (Matthew 27:62)

"There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand." (John 19:42)

The phrase “day of the preparation” unquestionably means the day before a Sabbath Day. This is a main reason why so many Christians say Yeshua died on FRIDAY, the day before a Sabbath Day. But does that always mean Friday, the day before a weekly Sabbath on Saturday? Obviously, NO! There are ANNUAL SABBATHS also.

WEEKLY SABBATHS

The following verses show the scriptural foundation for WEEKLY Sabbaths.

"1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." (Genesis 2:1-3)

“8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” (Exodus 20:8-11)

So we are commanded to keep the WEEKLY SABBATH, every Seventh Day, every Saturday, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday.

ANNUAL SABBATHS

The following verses show the scriptural foundation for ANNUAL Sabbaths. The Passover is the day before an Annual Sabbath, and it is critically important to our question about what day Yeshua died.

"4 These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. 5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's Passover. 6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. 7 In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 8 But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein." (Leviticus 23:4-8)

The First Day of Unleavened Bread, and the Seventh Day of Unleavened Bread are Sabbaths because they are “holy convocation's and “ye shall do no servile work therein”, means the days before them had to be preparation days, just like the preparation days for the Weekly Sabbaths.

"24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. 25 Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord." (Leviticus 23:24-25)

"26 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord. 28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God. 29 For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. 30 And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. 31 Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath." (Leviticus 23:26-32)

"39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the Lord seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath. 40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. 41 And ye shall keep it a feast unto the Lord seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: 43 That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 23:39-43)

Remember that “at even” means at the evening, and that days START at SUNSET, the beginning of evening. So Passover is at the beginning of the 14th day of Abib, the first month of the Hebrew year, as set by Yahweh. But the next day, the First Day of Unleavened Bread is a HOLY CONVOCATION or a HIGH DAY, as the Seventh Day of Unleavened Bread is also, which means a religious meeting, making it a HIGH DAY or a HOLY DAY, or an ANNUAL SABBATH.

WHAT IS THE PASSOVER?

In the Exodus of Israel from Egypt, Yahweh set the beginning of the Hebrew year, and a feast to remember His bringing them out of Egypt. The angel of death would “Pass Over” the Israeli homes IF the blood of the Lamb was on their doorposts.

"1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: 4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. 10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. 11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. 13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. 15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. 16 And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. 17 And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever. 18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even. 19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land. 20 Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread. 21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. 22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. 23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. 24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. 25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. 26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. 28 And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they." (Exodus 12:1-28)

This was formalized by the Lord as an annual Feast Day or Holy Day at Mount Sinai.

"4 These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. 5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's Passover. 6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. 7 In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 8 But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein." (Leviticus 23:4-8)

DIFFERENT PASSOVER TIMES FOR PEOPLE AND PRIESTS

From the verses above, Leviticus 23:4-8, we see Passover was the 14th day of Abib, the first month. From Exodus 12:6 above, we see the Passover Lamb was killed by families in homes, IN THE EVENING of the 14th day of Abib, which is the beginning of the day. From Exodus 12:15, we see the NEXT DAY, Abib 15th, was the First Day of Unleavened Bread.

However, Israel fell so far away from Yahweh that they forgot these feasts. Then good King Josiah reinstituted the feast, but with a change. There is a lot of scripture here, for the purpose of clarifying the Passover in the time of Yeshua.

"1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. 2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left. 3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images." (2 Chronicles 34:1-3)

"8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God." (2 Chronicles 34:8)

"14 And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses. 15 And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan. 16 And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it. 17 And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen. 18 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. 19 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes. 20 And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying, 21 Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book." (2 Chronicles 34:14-21)

31 And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book. 32 And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. 33 And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers." (2 Chronicles 34:31-33)

"1 Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. 2 And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD, 3 And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel, 4 And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son. 5 And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people, and after the division of the families of the Levites. 6 So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses. 7 And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for the passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king's substance." (2 Chronicles 35:1-7)

"10 So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites in their courses, according to the king's commandment. 11 And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hands, and the Levites flayed them. 12 And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the LORD, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen. 13 And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: but the other holy offerings sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and divided them speedily among all the people. 14 And afterward they made ready for themselves, and for the priests: because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering of burnt offerings and the fat until night; therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron. 15 And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer; and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them. 16 So all the service of the LORD was prepared the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the LORD, according to the commandment of king Josiah. 17 And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days. 18 And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.)" (2 Chronicles 35:10-19)

So note that now the priests had a temple sacrifice for the people, and then the priests ate their Passover, but this was now a temple feast and done in the afternoon of the 14th of Abib. And the priests ate after NIGHT, so it was really the First Day of Unleavened Bread. So in Yeshua’ time, the common people killed their own Passover Lamb and had their Passover Meal at the beginning of Abib 14th, in the evening that begins the day, while the priests held temple sacrifices and KILLED the Passover Meal in the late afternoon. But then the priests ATE it at NIGHT (evening meal), which had started Abib 15th, the First Day of Unleavened Bread. Hence, the priests and those who observed the temple sacrifice of the Passover Lamb, ate their meal a day after the common people, who prepared it at home, and ate it on the 14th. That explains how some of the people could say in Luke 22:7, “"Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.” These had been merged by Josiah and were considered the same day by some. But Yeshua and many still obeyed Moses, and kept the two Feasts, Passover, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread separate.

YESHUA IS OUR PASSOVER LAMB

The significance of the Passover Lamb is that if people had FAITH and accepted the blood of the Passover Lamb, to put it on their doorposts, Yahweh would pass over their house, as he punished the non-believers. Those who believed, and put the blood of the Passover Lamb on their doorposts, Jew or Gentile, were saved from Yahweh’s wrath. Yeshua said He was laying down His life for those who would believe in Him to be saved. Yeshua is both our Good Shepherd, and our Passover Lamb.

"Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28)

"14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:14-15)

"3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles." (1 Corinthians 15:3-7)

John the Baptist states that Yeshua is both the “Lamb of God” and the “Son of God.”

"29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. 32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God." (John 1:29-34)

John the apostle, who wrote Revelation, said Yeshua is the Lamb of God.

" And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (Revelation 13:8)

Paul says Yeshua is our Passover Lamb.

"Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:" (1 Corinthians 5:7)

So it is important to us that Yeshua died on Passover. He must have, for Him to fulfill scripture.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT WHAT DAY YESHUA DIED

Are we to believe tradition, preachers, Pharisees, or Yeshua, the Son of God? Below Yeshua clearly states He will be betrayed, and crucified, on the Feast of Passover.

"1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, 2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified." (Matthew 26:1-2)

While some people have issues with the writer Matthew calling it the “First day of the feast of unleavened bread”, we know from scripture that that CAN NOT MEAN what we take it to mean. We saw above how King Josiah had merged the two, so that could easily account for this wording. We know it is not accurate for 3 reasons. For one thing, they are PREPARING for the Passover, which definitely means it is the day before Abib 14th, Abib 13th. For a second reason, Yeshua says, “I WILL KEEP Passover”, which is over already if this is the First Day of Unleavened Bread. For a third thing, it says “when even (evening) was come He sat down” showing at Sunset they sat down for a meal. Sunset changed the day from Abib 13th to Passover, always on Abib 14th. There are some studies showing how this mention of “first day of the feast of unleavened bread” is a mistranslation, but you may research that on your own if interested. We don’t need it here. The overall verse is clear what day it is. Also, some may say Yeshua said He would be betrayed on Passover, not crucified. But further study shows the betrayal, arrest, trials, crucifixion, and burial were all on the same day.

"17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passover? 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. 20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve." (Matthew 26:17-20)

The same information is in Mark.

"12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? 13 And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. 14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. 16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. 18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me." (Mark 14:12-18)

Luke also has Yeshua saying clearly that the meal we call the “Last Supper” was the PASSOVER meal. Using 6:00 pm as a generic sunset, we know the Last Supper was sometime after 6:00 pm sunset, starting 14 Abib, Passover Day.

"7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. 9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. 11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. 13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:" (Luke 22:7-15)

We see the actual burial, the time to start counting days and night in the heart of the earth, in Luke 23:46-56.

"46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. 47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. 48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. 49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things. 50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: 51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. 53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. 54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. 55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. 56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment." (Luke 23:46-56)

Below is an image of Luke 23:54 from The Interlinear Bible, Hebrew-Greek-English from Hendrickson Publishing. It shows beyond a shadow of a doubt that Yeshua was buried on a day of preparation for a Sabbath. This Sabbath was a High Sabbath or Annual Sabbath, the First Day of Unleavened Bread. This is Greek and reads left to right, like English.

Looking again at Leviticus 23:5-6 where Yahweh defines His Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread,

"5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's passover. 6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread." (Leviticus 23:5-6)

Because of the extreme importance Yahweh puts on His Feasts, we need to get the days correct. Hence, the following image from BibleHub.com The Interlinear Bible of Leviticus 23:5-6. This shows the original Hebrew DID in fact use the words for the FOURTEENTH day (four and ten) and FIFTEENTH day (five and ten). This is Hebrew and reads RIGHT to LEFT.

John has much more information on Yeshua’s words to His Apostles at the Passover Meal, the Last Supper. John says it was BEFORE the Feast of the Passover, then moves to the “supper being ended.” This must be the same meal as the other gospels, for John mentions Judas betraying Yeshua. John moves immediately to “when Yeshua had spoken these words”, He went to the Garden with the Apostles, and was betrayed. This is clearly Passover Abib 14th starting at evening right before this meal, to obey the scriptures in Leviticus 23:4-8.

"13 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded." (John 13:1-5)

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT WHAT TIME YESHUA DIED

YESHUA’S ARREST:

After the Passover meal on Abib 14 in the evening, Yeshua and the Apostles went to the garden of Gethsemane.

"26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. 29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. 31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. 32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray." (Mark 14:26-32)

"39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation." (Luke 22:39-40)

We know they arrested Yeshua at nighttime because they came with lanterns and torches.

"1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. 2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. 3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons." (John 18:1-3)

Confirming the arrest of Yeshua was at nighttime, they were acting under the secrecy of darkness.

"52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. 54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off." (Luke 22:52-54)

"45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. 47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him." (Matthew 26:45-50)

"42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. 43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. 45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. 46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him." (Mark 14:42-46)

So Yeshua was arrested at night, following the evening Passover Meal on Passover Day Abib 14th.

YESHUA’S TRIALS:

Yeshua was taken to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, then to Caiaphas, the high priest.

"12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. 14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. 15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. 17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. 18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. 19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. 21 Why asketh thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. 22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answereth thou the high priest so? 23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? 24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest." (John 18:12-24)

"57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end." (Matthew 26:57-58)

"53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. 54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire." (Mark 14:53-54)

Yeshua is taken from Caiaphas to Pontius Pilate the governor. This is still on the Day of Passover, Abib 14th, it says “early” in the morning.

"28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. 29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?" (John 18:28-29)

Remember from above that King Josiah had the priests offer the Passover Lamb in the afternoon, and eat it that night. This is how Yeshua and the Apostles had their Passover meal when Moses said to, in the evening before this morning.

"27 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor." (Matthew 27:1-2)

Yeshua was sent from Pilate to Herod, and back to Pilate.

"6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. 7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. 8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. 9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. 11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. 12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves." (Luke 23:6-12)

So the trials of Yeshua were early in the morning on Passover Day, Abib 14th.

YESHUA’S CRUCIFICTION:

Mark says Yeshua was crucified in the third hour, or 9:00 am.

"15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. 16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. 17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, 18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! 19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. 21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. 22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. 23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. 24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. 25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. 26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, The King Of The Jews." (Mark 15:15-26)

It must be noted that John says it was the sixth hour that Yeshua was sent to be crucified. I can not reconcile this in any definite way. With no clocks of any kind in that day, people did not give exact times, not even exact hours. We know the night was broken into 4 watches of 3 hours each. It is reasonable to suppose the 12 hour daytime was also broken into 4 pieces of 3 hours, sunrise to the third hour, the sixth hour, the ninth hour, and sunset. 10:30 am could easily be about the third hour to one, and about the sixth hour to another. John does NOT contradict Matthew and Mark and Luke about the hour of Yeshua’s death, below. Therefore, I do not consider this an issue.

"14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! 15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. 16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away." (John 19:14-16)

So Yeshua was crucified at about the third hour of the day, with sunrise at the 6th hour. This means Yeshua was crucified at about 9:00 am, on the Day of Passover, Abib 14th. Yeshua, our Passover Lamb, was sacrificed on Passover Day while the Jews were sacrificing thousands of lambs, from the evening (beginning the day) in private homes, throughout the day at the temple.

YESHUA’S DEATH:

Darkness covered the land from the sixth hour (noon) to the ninth hour (3:00 pm)

"45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. 48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. 50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost." (Matthew 27:45-50)

The ninth hour of the 12 hours of “daytime” that starts at sunrise which is at 6:00 am (in ancient Israel) is 3:00 pm in the afternoon.

"33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? Which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias. 36 And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. 37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost." (Mark 15:33-37)

There was darkness from the sixth hour, noon, until the ninth hour, 3:00 pm when Yeshua died. Matthew, Mark, and Luke agree on this timing. John says nothing about the TIME Yeshua died.

"44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." (Luke 23:44-46)

"The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away." (John 19:31)

Here you have it. The Passover Day Yeshua died was the 14th of Abib, and Passover is always the day BEFORE the 15th of Abib, the First Day of Unleavened Bread, a HIGH SABBATH DAY! So the preparation day for that day was Passover Day, NOT A WEEKLY SABBATH, hence, NOT FRIDAY! This is why the Jews wanted those crucified to be checked for being dead, or break their legs so they died more quickly, so the bodies could be removed, and not be hanging on a Sabbath Day, a High Sabbath Day.

So Yeshua died about the ninth hour, or 3:00 pm on Abib 14th, the Day of Passover.

YESHUA’S BURIAL:

Remembering that evening began at sunset, Joseph of Arimathaea buried Yeshua just before sunset on Passover Day, Abib 14th. Remember we showed the next day was the First Day of Unleavened Bread, a High Sabbath. They could neither prepare dead bodies nor bury that day. Hence Joseph’s haste.

"57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: 58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed." (Matthew 27:57-60)

Mark says the same thing.

"42 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. 44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. 45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid." (Mark 15:42-47)

Luke agrees Yeshua was buried as the High Sabbath drew close, so just before sunset on Abib 14th. We know it was right BEFORE evening, because the Jews could not do the work of burying Yeshua on the High Sabbath which started at sunset.

"50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: 51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. 53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. 54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. 55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid." (Luke 23:50-55)

John adds some details, noting that Nicodemus helped Joseph bury Yeshua, and that they used spices per the normal Jewish burial customs.

"38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. 39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. 42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand." (John 19:38-42)

From the scriptures above, it is clear Yeshua was buried at the end of Passover, Abib 14th, BEFORE SUNSET, starting His first full day in the “heart of the earth” at the very beginning of the First Day of Unleavened Bread, Abib 15th. Yeshua, our Passover Lamb, was arrested, tried, crucified, and buried on Passover Day, the 14th of Abib.

WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK WAS YESHUA BURIED?

It seems most scholars agree that Yeshua probably died in 30 A.D. I stress here that this is not absolutely pinpointed by the Bible. The Bible gives many pieces of data on which to calculate Yeshua’s birth and death, but it does NOT give a definitive date. The calculation of the year of Yeshua’ death is very difficult because of the many different calendars and adjustments to calendars and we will not go into that here. A little research shows there are still other opinions.

However, the following three websites that I trust support the year of 30 A.D.

https://www.5loaves2fishes.net/artaxerxes-decree      This is a very detailed and thorough article (see graphic at bottom)

https://www.compellingtruth.org/what-year-did-Jesus-die.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/what-year-did-Jesus-die.html

Using the date of Abib 14th 30 A.D, we can use Calendar Calculators to find the day of the week.

The following four Calendar Calculators all agree, Abib 14th, 30 A.D. was a Wednesday.

https://www.fourmilab.ch/documents/calendar/ says 14 Abib (Nisan) 30 A.D. (Hebrew year 3790) was a Wednesday.

https://calendarhome.com/calculate/convert-a-date says 14 Abib (Nisan) 30 A.D. (Hebrew year 3790) was a Wednesday.

https://www.funaba.org/cc says 14 Abib (Nisan) 30 A.D. (Hebrew year 3790) was a Wednesday.

http://the-light.com/cal/converter says 14 Abib (Nisan) 30 A.D. (Hebrew year 3790 from creation) was a Wednesday.

Also, an almost irrefutable proof that Yeshua died in 30 A.D. is from the story of Jonah we already referenced. When Jonah was vomited out of the fished mouth, and obeyed Yahweh and preached to Nineveh, this is the message he brought from Yahweh.

"3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey. 4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown." (Jonah 3:3-4)

Jonah said Yahweh said if they did not repent in 40 days, they would be destroyed. Now the scripture often equates a day with a year. Note the following scriptures.

Numbers 14:34 day to a year

"After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise." (Numbers 14:34)

Ezekiel 4:6 day to a year

"And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year." (Ezekiel 4:6)

All secular world history says Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. Yeshua said the only sign given to this evil generation would be the sign of the prophet Jonah. Jonah’s message was that if they did not repent, they would be destroyed in 40 days. With a day to a year equivalence, Jerusalem rejected Yeshua, and 40 years later was destroyed by the Romans. Yeshua prophesied this to his Apostles, and history confirms it occurred in 70 A. D. Subtract 40 years, and you get 30 A. D as the year of the crucifixion and death of Yeshua. This is a powerful proof for the year 30 A.D.

It is reasonable to think that Yeshua was buried on Wednesday, based on many scholars, but not positively proved in the scriptures. It WAS FOR SURE, at the end of 14 Abib, starting Yeshua first day in the tomb on 15 Abib.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT WHAT DAY YESHUA ROSE FROM THE DEAD

"1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." (Matthew 28:1-6)

"In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, " clearly means the Sabbath had ended since it ends at SUNSET. The phrase "began to dawn TOWARD the first day of the week" would mean the evening and night of the first day of the week were over, and the sunrise was bringing the DAY of the first day of the week. Matthew says Yeshua was ALREADY “RISEN” sometime BEFORE the sunrise of the first day of the week.

"Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils." (Mark 16:9)

Note the placement of the COMMA, which did not exist in Hebrew or Greek. https://www.greeklanguage.blog/ says, "The ancient Greeks did not have any equivalent to our modern device of punctuation. However “Punctuation in Early Greek New Testament Texts by Greg Stafford” says there were a few “points.” In addition, the ancient Greeks used no spaces between words or paragraphs. Texts were a continuous string of letters, with an occasional blank line inserted to mark the end of a major section, though even this was not always done. They also had no equivalent to our lower case letters. Texts were written in all capitals." Therefore this verse can just as properly be translated as

"Now when Jesus was risen, early the first day of the week he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils." (Mark 16:9)

This makes His appearance on the first day of the week, not His resurrection. This is a perfect example of how the preconceived beliefs of the translators can make a huge difference in their translation, even with just the placement of a comma.

For more contexts, here are the first 9 verses of the chapter.

"1 And when the sabbath was past Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome had bought sweet spices that they might come and anoint him. 2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. 3 And they said among themselves Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 4 And when they looked they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. 5 And entering into the sepulchre they saw a young man sitting on the right side clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. 6 And he saith unto them Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7 But go your way tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him as he said unto you. 8 And they went out quickly and fled from the sepulchre for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. 9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week he appeared first to Mary Magdalene out of whom he had cast seven devils." (Mark 16:1-9)

ALL commas in verse 9 above were removed by me to remove some translator’s bias. Many say ancient Greek had no punctuation, but light research shows there were a few “points” in use. “The Interlinear Bible” shows only a “point” at the end of this verse, no commas. Now examining Mark's Gospel, the two Marys and Salome came "at the rising of the sun.” The stone was ALREADY rolled away. In verse 9, as pointed out above, there were NO COMMAS, so remove that comma entirely, or place it behind the word "risen", and note a totally different reading of these 9 verses than most churches teach. WITHOUT THAT COMMA, which did not exist in the original language, Mark says Yeshua had ALREADY risen BEFORE sunrise on the first day of the week. So, when Yeshua had risen, He appeared to Mary on the first day (daytime) of the week.

"1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words, 9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest." (Luke 24:1-9)

Read these verses carefully. Put aside your bias, what you have been told, and your preconceived ideas. Read these verses carefully. What do they really say? Very early in the morning, upon the first day of the week, the women found the stone rolled away. It does NOT say Yeshua rose "on the first day of the week.” It says the ladies "found the stone rolled away.” He had ALREADY risen when they arrived. Might He have risen ON the first day of the week, just before they arrived? Yes, that is possible, but it is not stated. A careful reading of Luke's gospel does not tell us for sure which day Yeshua rose, but, standing alone, lets either day be possible. So far, in the order of the gospel accounts of Yeshua' resurrection, Matthew and Mark clearly say He had risen BEFORE SUNRISE the first day of the week. Luke does not clearly identify the day Yeshua rose, but does not contradict that it could be on either day, the Sabbath Day, Saturday, or the first day of the week, Sunday. We shall see later, the first day of the week would have been the FOURTH day, not the THIRD day.

"1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Yeshua loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him." (John 20: 1-2)

John's gospel clearly says "when it was yet dark.” This leaves no possible chance that Yeshua rose in the DAYTIME on the first day of the week, Sunday. It clearly says the stone was ALREADY gone and Yeshua had ALREADY risen, making Yeshua resurrection before Daytime Sunday. So taking all four gospels all together, Matthew, Mark, and John all say Yeshua rose at or before SUNRISE Sunday. The verse does start with “the first day of the week, yet it also says “when it was yet dark. It is NOT DARK at sunrise. The Jewish way of recognizing days comes from Yahweh Himself, at The Creation. Night comes first, then Day. The day is SUNSET to SUNSET. So sunrise is the middle of the day, like our modern day people think of noon time.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT WHAT TIME YESHUA ROSE FROM THE DEAD

From the same verses we just read above, we see that the first people to NOTICE Yeshua was risen, noticed that at the very last minutes before sunrise, the end of the EVENING or night of Sunday, being 6:00 am Sunday, when the “morning” or daytime started.

From the Bible, we can only be sure Yeshua rose at or after SUNSET Saturday, and BEFORE SUNRISE Sunday.

WHAT DAYS DID YESHUA DIE AND RISE FROM THE GRAVE?

So from the scripture we know for sure, that Yeshua was buried at the end of 14 Abib, starting Yeshua’ first day in the tomb at the beginning of 15 Abib, at sunset, starting the evening. We know from Calendar Calculators that the day of the week in 14 Abib 30 A.D. was WEDNESDAY. So Yeshua's first day in the heart of the earth started 15 Abib 30 A.D. which was Thursday. So our countdown of full nights and full days starts at SUNSET, the END of Wednesday morning (day) and the beginning of Thursday evening (night), with evening (night) coming BEFORE the morning (day).

We know from the scripture that Yeshua rose BEFORE SUNRISE on Sunday, half way through Sunday.

Sunset Wednesday to sunset Thursday is the Hebrew day Thursday, and that is evening & morning the first day.

Sunset Thursday to sunset Friday is the Hebrew full day Friday, and that is evening and morning the second day.

Sunset Friday to sunset Saturday is the Hebrew full day Saturday, and that is evening and morning the third day.

At this time, sunset Saturday, Yeshua has been in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights, as He said.

Yeshua could rise anytime at or after sunset Saturday, and He would have BEEN RISEN on Sunday, as the ladies found.

ON THE THIRD DAY/ THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS

What about the verses that say "On the Third Day"? Does that argue against Yeshua’ statement of three days and three nights? We get the exact situation and phraseology with Queen Esther. The Jews agree to not eat or drink for "three days, night or day." Yet, Esther went to the court "on the third day.” So did she not wait for them to fast three days, night or day? Did she not mean "three days, night or day" though that is exactly what she said?

"15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. 17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him." (Esther 4:15-17)" Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house." (Esther 5:1)

When we consider the verses from Esther and from Yeshua resurrection, it seems that "on the third day" has the same meaning as "AFTER three days" or “on the completion of the third day.” Esther’s statement, “three days, night or day” reminds us that the Hebrew nights come before the days, as stated clearly in the Genesis creation account, where it repeatedly says there was “evening and morning” on each day. With “evening” including the night, and “morning” including the day, we see why Esther said “night or day” instead of “day or night.” This phrase “on the third day” then includes the third night as already past. So if somebody does something “on the third day”, at the END OF THE DAY, it would be after three days and three nights. To modern Westerners, It CAN MEAN at the BEGINNING of the third day, which to us is daytime starting at sunrise and NOT three whole days and nights. However, to the Hebrews the beginning of the third day is the moment after SUNSET of the second day, the beginning of evening the third day. Hence if the phrase was taken to mean that, only TWO NIGHTS AND TWO DAYS would be finished.

It seems unreasonable that a person would say “neither eat nor drink three days, night or day:” and mean TWO NIGHTS AND TWO DAYS!

It is however totally reasonable that “neither eat nor drink three days, night or day:” means exactly what it says, and the term “on the third day” means “at the closing of the third day” or “on the third day, at the end of the day.”

Consider also the following verses that say “after three days.”

"62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again." (Matthew 27:62-63)

"And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again." (Matthew 20:19)

"And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again." (Mark 8:31)

"And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again." (Mark 10:34)

I do not know Aramaic, Hebrew, or Greek. But let’s just consider the words we find written in our Bibles. It seems to me they make the final result clear. If “on the third day” means BEFORE the third day is over, then it is in contradiction to these verses that say the three days ARE over. But note that Matthew above uses both phrases, and so does Mark. It is inconceivable that the same author would say “after three days” clearly meaning three days had past, and “on the third day” if this means after only two days have passed. This certainly shows that in ancient Aramaic or Hebrew which was being spoken, or in the Greek in which the Gospels were written, “on the third day” meant the same as “after three days.”

MARY MAGDALENE AND THE OTHER WOMEN

Some may say that a Wednesday death and burial at sunset on Wednesday with an Annual Sabbath on Thursday, leaves Friday as a day for Mary Magdalene and the other women to anoint Yeshua for burial. So why did they not do that on Friday? There is one VERY GOOD reason they did not; Roman guards.

"62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch." (Matthew 27:62-66)

"1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. 9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. 11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day." (Matthew 28:1-15)

Therefore the ladies could not go to the tomb until AFTER the Roman guard had left, and they were to be there guarding after the third day. This seems to mean the soldiers would be there at least most of Sunday, after the third day. So the ladies came in the morning on Sunday, perhaps to wait for the guard to be finished and leave, then they could prepare Yeshua’ body with the herbs and spices. The Bible says Sunday at sunrise the ladies came, and an angel rolled back the stone door and sat on it. The Roman guard was still there, because at the sight of the angel, “And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.” One point to notice here is that Yeshua was already gone, while the rock was still closed, because they don’t say Yeshua came out after the stone was rolled away. And the angel said “He IS risen.” Now it is expected that a Roman guard that was set to keep Yeshua’ body from disappearing, having failed at their duty, were in big trouble with their captain and superior officers in the Roman army. So instead of telling the truth about the angel to their superiors, the Jewish leaders asked the “watch”, the keepers, the Roman guard, to lie, and say the disciples stole the body in the night. The Jewish leaders then said they would protect the guard from getting in trouble. So this guard is a very strong reason the ladies would not have come to the tomb on Friday.

REVIEW & CONCLUSION

John 19:38-42 says Yeshua was laid in the tomb at the END of 14 Abib, starting His time in the earth on the BEGINNING of 15 Abib.

Matthew says Yeshua was already risen, "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week.” It was NOT YET DAYTIME the first day of the week. It was still the ending of the EVENING of the first day. This is very definitive! Yeshua had risen BEFORE DAWN Sunday.

Mark says Yeshua was already risen, "at the rising of the sun", the very demarcation line between the evening and the morning. This is very definitive! Yeshua had risen BEFORE DAWN Sunday.

Luke says Yeshua was already risen “upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning.” This is not definitive so can not be used to prove either day.

John says Yeshua was already risen "when it was yet dark.” This is very definitive! Yeshua had risen BEFORE DAWN Sunday.

With three (3) of the four (4) gospels being very clear that Yeshua rose BEFORE the DAYTIME of first day of the week, Sunday, and the fourth gospel not defining the day either way, what conclusion can anyone come to, other than the Bible clearly says Yeshua arose from the dead BEFORE Dawn on Sunday, the first day of the week. The scriptures say Yeshua rose AFTER three days and three nights in the tomb, between the stroke of SUNSET Saturday, and BEFORE SUNRISE on Sunday. That is a 12 hour range. If He rose at the stroke of SUNSET on Saturday, that is the demarcation line between the end of the day Saturday, and the beginning of the day Sunday.

With Yeshua in the tomb the beginning of Thursday, 15 Abib, in the tomb Friday 16 Abib, In the tomb Saturday 17 Abib, and rising at SUNSET Saturday 17 Abib/Sunday 18 Abib, we have Yeshua in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. I believe Yeshua meant what He said, and said what He meant.

"39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matthew 12:39-40)

Each person has to pray and study the scriptures and make their own conclusions.

My scripture studies have lead me to the conclusion that Yeshua was buried at sunset the end of Wednesday 14 Abib, the beginning of Thursday 15 Abib, and rose again at (or after) sunset the end of Saturday 17 Abib, the beginning of Sunday, with the tomb being found empty about sunrise Sunday. This supports Yeshua’s statement that the sign to believe He is the Messiah is that He was three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

A very nice visual chart of this timeline is given at

https://lifehopeandtruth.com/learning-center/infographics/chronology-of-christs-crucifixion-and-resurrection/

May The Living God, Yahweh, lead your scripture studies and your heart to believe what truth He wants you to believe.

ADDENDUM

MORE ON THE PASSOVER - NUMBERS 28:16-25

"16 And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the Lord. 17 And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten. 18 In the first day shall be an holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work therein: 19 But ye shall offer a sacrifice made by fire for a burnt offering unto the Lord; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year: they shall be unto you without blemish: 20 And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil: three tenth deals shall ye offer for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram; 21 A several tenth deal shalt thou offer for every lamb, throughout the seven lambs: 22 And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you. 23 Ye shall offer these beside the burnt offering in the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering. 24 After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering. 25 And on the seventh day ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work." (Numbers 28:16-25)

PRIEST HELD DIFFERENT PASSOVER THAN THE PEOPLE

See Is Passover on the First Day of Unleavened Bread? (Part One) (sabbath.org) for a study on the fact that the priests had modified the Passover from the timing God gave, and ate their passover meal in the late of the day on Abib 14th. To us, modern Westerners, that seems like the next day, but God said to eat it in the “EVENING” which started the day, and priests or kings changed it to in the “MORNING” or day which extended to sunset that day. So to us, Yeshua and the Apostles ate it Passover night, but the priests had not yet eaten it the “next day.” But to Israel, it was the same day, just later in the day.

THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS

A really good site that goes into the Greek of these terms.

#2.2 JESUS WAS LITERALLY THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE GRAVE

https://www.logosapostolic.org/bible_study/RP208-2ThreeDaysNights.htm